Tōv Coffee and Tea is a small Egyptian-style coffee shop inside a double-decker bus situated on Hawthorne Street. When you walk in, you’re greeted with vintage-style decoration with street signs and traditional Egyptian and Turkish tapestries adorning the walls. Continue past the kitchen on the first level up the stairs, and you’ll reach the open-air seating area on the top.

Complete with lanterns, couches with cushions of tasteful designs, and a great view of the bustling avenue below, Tōv Coffee and Tea offers a unique aesthetically pleasing environment to enjoy an afternoon tea.

When we first arrived at the cafe, the bus seating was packed full and the only seating available was tables outside. We opted to wait for seating to be available to have the full Tōv experience. Upon returning to the store, our order was taken in the first-floor kitchen, and we took our seats upstairs at a small table and comfortable chairs.

The wait for our drinks was on the longer side, but it was worth it. Both the chai latte and mocha we ordered were delicious, with just the right amount of flavor and spice. Our order-taker and server, Jet, was very friendly and was kind enough to talk about his experience working at Tōv. 

“The first menu item I ever had was the Mint Thing, which is my personal favorite,” he said, referring to their cold brew coffee with mint syrup, topped with half & half and oat milk. Besides the delectable beverages, he also said it was an enjoyable working environment. “We all have to work with each other, and he [Jet’s boss] puts a lot of trust in us.”

Overall, Tōv Coffee and Tea was a great place to chat over some delicious coffee and enjoy the beautiful June weather. We recommend it highly if you want a pleasant, uniquely Portland experience.